Dakota County is planning to modify the intersection of Dodd Boulevard (County Road 9) and 194 Street/Indiana Avenue to improve safety and mobility. The change will restrict left turns from 194th/Indiana (194th) onto Dodd Boulevard. This was recommended based on a review of the intersection, including concerns from residents.

Virtual project update

See a virtual project update to learn about the project, the anticipated schedule and what to expect during construction. You will have the opportunity to view the final design, construction and permanent access changes for local businesses, and detour routes during construction. Construction will begin this summer.

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Crash history

The intersection has had 11 crashes from 2017­–2019. The crash rate is significantly higher than statewide rates for other side-stop intersections. Crashes involving a motorist crossing or turning onto Dodd Boulevard and colliding with a north or southbound vehicle on Dodd accounted for nearly all crashes. Restricting the left turns or crossing movements from the side road will have a significant impact on reducing crashes.
See information on access conflict points.

Recommendation

County staff, in partnership with the city, is recommending to restrict traffic entering Dodd Boulevard to right turns only. This restriction significantly reduces the main conflicting points at the intersection.

Key findings leading to the recommendation:

The intersection experiences some delays, particularly during peak periods before and after school. The county, city and school have encouraged students who would normally make left or through movement to make a right onto County Road 9 and then make a U-turn.

A traffic control change to a signal or roundabout is not justified based on assessing both current and near-term future traffic levels on 194th Street/Indiana Avenue.

A change to restrict left turns and crossing movements from the side road will improve safety by eliminating the potential for angle crashes involving a vehicle on the side road and north/south traffic on Dodd Road.

Multiple alternate routes to making left turns or crossing movements are available through other roadway connections to the north and south or by making a right turn at Dodd and a U-turn at a downstream median opening.

School Safety Assessment

The
Dakota County School Safety Assessment is occurring separately from this project to evaluate safety, with a focus on pedestrian and bicycle activity at schools near county roads or state highways. Lakeville North High School is included in this study.

Project timeline

Final design: Winter 2020Award project: May 2020Construction: June 2020–September 2020